- VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY — 0.6 mi · Grades 9–9 · 468 students
- OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 0.6 mi · Grades K–5 · 441 students
- RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY — 0.7 mi · Grades K–12 · 79 students
- NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL — 0.9 mi · Grades 6–8 · 713 students
- VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL — 0.9 mi · Grades 10–12 · 1,232 students
- PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 1.3 mi · Grades K–5 · 437 students
- RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 1.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 414 students
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 1.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 466 students
| Metric | Van Buren School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 5,911 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 11 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,711/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 34% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren School District (this district) | 8/10 | 72nd | 5,911 |
| Fort Smith Public Schools | 6/10 | 55th | 14,291 |
| Alma School District | 6/10 | 52nd | 3,143 |
| Cedarville School District | 7/10 | 60th | 721 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 218 rated districts in AR → 72nd percentile → 8/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Van Buren School District
Van Buren School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 72956 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 72956. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Van Buren School District ranks among Arkansas’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arkansas is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Van Buren School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arkansas. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 72956
Children in zip code 72956 are assigned to Van Buren School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 72956, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Van Buren School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arkansas districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Van Buren
For families considering a purchase in the Van Buren area, district assignment matters financially. Because Van Buren School District serves zip code 72956, homes in and around zip code 72956 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arkansas, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Van Buren School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 72956.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Van Buren School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 72956 data.